October 3, 2003	Friday	Sha’aban 6, 1424

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ATHENS, Oct 2: Greece said on Thursday its security arrangements for the 2004 Athens Olympics were comprehensive enough to tackle any potential threat, despite international concerns.

Defence Minister Yannos Papantoniou, who will contribute 7,000 soldiers to security operations during the Olympics, said organisers were drawing lessons from past Games as well as the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities to plan against “terrorist threats”.

“The plan is complex and comprehensive. No danger will exist while conducting the Olympic Games in 2004,” he told Reuters in an interview.

Papantoniou said his ministry was also contributing with necessary intelligence background to pinpoint potential dangers before next year’s Games, which take place between August 13 and August 29.

“We are fully ready. We are spending a lot of money and lots of human resources and we are cooperating effectively and extensively with all relevant agencies around the world,” he said.

Greece has recently rejected claims in international media that its security arrangements for the Games were insufficient, despite drafting the biggest ever Games safety plan in the history of the Olympics.

Citing U.S. intelligence reports, the Washington Post said last week tests to security measures had revealed deep deficiencies.

But the International Olympic Committee has thrown its weight behind the Greeks saying preparations are extensive enough to safeguard the Games.

Greece is pouring more than $600 million into security preparations which include the deployment of 58,000 people — police, military and coast guard — for the duration of the Games, four times as many as in Sydney in 2000.

Officials this week said this figure could go up if there were additional needs.

Papantoniou said armed military personnel will be part of every security activity during the Olympics, to be held in August next year.

“They will be spread throughout the spectrum of security activities,” he said.

Greece has also set up an international security advisory group, comprising Spain, Germany, Britain, the United States, Israel, Australia and France, to exchange intelligence and know-how ahead of the Games.—Reuters